Indy 500 Lineup: Drivers Primed to Steal Spotlight in Marquee Race

For drivers looking to make a statement on the IndyCar circuit, there's no bigger prize than winning the Indy 500.

While NASCAR is the main racing attraction in the United States, the Indy 500 steals the show every Memorial Day weekend. Winning the race means etching your name on the Borg-Warner trophy and receiving a fairly handsome paycheck.

The 2013 version of the race figures to be an entertaining one. With the presence of defending Indy 500 champion Dario Franchitti and all of the biggest names on the IndyCar circuit the competition will be fierce.

Here's all the information you need to know heading into Sunday's marquee race.

Race Information

When: Sunday, May 26, at 12 p.m. ET

Where: Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Watch: ABC

Qualifying Results

Pos.

Driver

Car No.

1

Ed Carpenter

20

2

Carlos Munoz

26

3

Marco Andretti

25

4

E.J. Viso

5

5

A.J. Allmendinger

2

6

Will Power

12

7

Ryan Hunter-Reay

1

8

HelioCastroneves

3

9

James Hinchcliffe

27

10

J.R. Hildebrand

4

11

Alex Tagliani

98

12

Tony Kanaan

11

13

OriolServia

22

14

Justin Wilson

19

15

Sebastien Bourdais

7

16

Scott Dixon

9

17

Dario Franchitti

10

18

TakumaSato

14

19

Charlie Kimball

83

20

James Jakes

16

21

Simon Pagenaud

77

22

Townsend Bell

60

23

Ryan Briscoe

8

24

Simona deSilvestro

78

25

Josef Newgarden

21

26

Graham Rahal

15

27

Sebastian Saavedra

6

28

Tristan Vautier

55

29

Ana Beatriz

18

30

Pippa Mann

63

31

Conor Daly

41

32

Buddy Lazier

91

33

Katherine Legge

81

Carlos Munoz

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

Carlos Munoz is definitely the most intriguing rookie in the Indy 500 field. The 21-year-old Colombian has dominated the Indy Lights circuit. He already has two victories in 2013 and has run the fastest lap in every race.

Munoz comes in with a serious opportunity to become the first rookie to win the race since HelioCastroneves won in 2001—just a year after Juan Pablo Montoya also achieved the feat.

Montoya came in as a little-known Colombian who made waves by finishing second in qualifying and taking the checkered flag. There's a good chance that his countryman repeats history. He's also starting the race in second and is a true threat to take the checkered flag.

A.J. Allmendinger

Former NASCAR driver A.J. Allmendiner will be making his first appearance at the Indy 500 and figures to be a serious contender. Although he hasn't been involved in open wheel racing since 2006, he told Bill Huneke of NJ.com that he feels like he's getting comfortable thanks to his teammates:

I had to get used to it again and what the car likes and how very hard you have to drive it to be fast, especially on the road courses. But Will and Helio have really helped me feel like actually a member of the team, and I hope I’ve added something of my own — my energy level, my excitement, my charm and good looks.